The new year is here, and it is once again time to make — and attempt to maintain — some lifestyle changes. This year, try these simple beauty resolutions that can truly make a difference in your health and appearance.

Resolution 1:

Drink More Water

Try to drink eight glasses of water every day, or about one glass every two hours. The cold winter air is dehydrating and possibly damaging to your complexion. Drinking water can help keep your skin and lips from drying, your hair shiny and your nails strong. Water can also aid with digestion and weight loss, as well as relieve headaches and tiredness. Instead of grabbing a cup of coffee to go, fill up a water bottle to stay healthy and hydrated throughout the day.

Resolution 2:

Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen

Many believe that in the winter we don’t need to worry about protecting ourselves from the sun’s UV rays. However, snow can act as a reflector and damage your skin without the indication of a burn. Although most of your body is bundled up in the cold weather, your face is still sensitive and vulnerable to sun damage, so opt for a regular or tinted moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15.

Resolution 3:

Always Remove

Makeup before Bed

One of the best ways to improve your skin is to remove your makeup before going to sleep. Leaving makeup on overnight causes dead skin cells to build up and leads to more breakouts and other skin problems. Let your skin breathe and rejuvenate at night by removing all beauty products, washing your face and moisturizing your skin. If you’re short on time, makeup wipes are a popular and easy option. Try Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, found at local drugstores, as a quick makeup-removing method.

Resolution 4:

Keep Makeup Brushes Clean

We often forget the importance of keeping makeup brushes and other tools clean. Buildup of old makeup can cause your skin to break out. To clean a makeup brush, mix water and shampoo into a shallow bowl and swirl the brush in the bowl until clean. Repeat this process weekly. It is important to sharpen lip and eye pencils monthly and replace mascara every six months. This will help prevent bacteria from building up on your products.

Resolution 5:

Get More Sleep

No matter how much work or studying you have to do, an all-nighter is never a good idea.  Sleep is the time for your body to restore its energy, and not sleeping enough can do major damage to both your health and your ability to focus and do well in classes. About eight hours of sleep a night should be your goal. If you can’t manage that much, at least try to make a commitment to go to bed at the same time each night — a regular sleep schedule will help you feel more refreshed in the morning.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Jan. 27 print edition. Ilona Tuominen is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].